The vacation roster freeze is on within the NHL, however this was a busy week. NHL entrance places of work are something however quiet, with a few blockbusters involving some large names.
From Toronto’s rising sense of urgency, to Calgary gauging the market on a prime defenseman, to Buffalo making organizational modifications, this weekend’s rumor mill provides a transparent snapshot of the place issues could also be headed.
Right here’s a take a look at the most important NHL rumor threads making noise across the league because the weekend unfolds.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Stress Is Constructing Quick
The noise across the Maple Leafs isn’t slowing down, and league insiders are beginning to sound much less affected person. Elliotte Friedman summed it up when he famous the crew is headed towards “very uncomfortable conversations” if issues don’t get sorted out quickly. That traces up with what we’re listening to elsewhere.
Brad Treliving would nonetheless love so as to add one other top-six ahead — perhaps even two — however the issue is availability. The Leafs need to get Auston Matthews going, however as Darren Dreger famous, the kind of high-end playmaker Matthews wants merely isn’t sitting available on the market, nor can the Leafs afford him.
In the meantime, Toronto has been linked to a number of defensemen and forwards in latest weeks, they usually’re one of many groups checking in on Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson. The Leafs don’t have a deep prospect cabinet, and any significant addition probably means subtracting one thing vital from the roster.
For now, the sense across the league is that Toronto is probing, not pushing — however that might change shortly if outcomes don’t enhance.
Calgary Flames: Rasmus Andersson Drawing Severe Curiosity
Talking of Rasmus Andersson, his identify continues to select up momentum across the league, and he spoke on After Hours Saturday evening in regards to the commerce chatter. This now not looks like background noise, and he stated, “It takes two to tango”, when speaking a couple of doable extension in Calgary.
Andersson stated the reviews on the market about him are humorous. Nonetheless, based on each David Pagnotta and Chris Johnston, groups are actively calling, circling again, and attempting to determine two issues: the acquisition price and whether or not Andersson can be open to an extension. Dallas and Toronto are among the many golf equipment doing due diligence, and others are lurking.
Andersson hasn’t slammed the door on staying in Calgary, but when Calgary will get the sense that an extension isn’t reasonable, his worth probably peaks sooner moderately than later. Across the league, there’s rising perception that if the Flames transfer him, it’s as a result of they determined the market — and leverage — gained’t get higher.
Buffalo Sabres: Change May Are available A number of Types
Buffalo is shortly turning into one of the crucial fascinating groups to observe. With Jarmo Kekäläinen now in cost and a few govt shuffling, a number of insiders consider this gained’t be a delicate transition. Chris Johnston has brazenly advised the Sabres may make daring strikes, and The Fourth Interval notes that names like Bowen Byram and Owen Energy have been floating round commerce conversations for over a yr.
On the identical time, Alex Tuch is a precedence.
Each Friedman and Pierre LeBrun have reported that Kekäläinen needs to get Tuch signed, even when that doesn’t absolutely rule out a commerce down the road. Tuch reportedly balked at a earlier contract provide close to what Tage Thompson signed for. As an alternative, he needs cash in keeping with Adrian Kempe‘s contract in Los Angeles. It was additionally famous that Alex Lyon may have been moved to Edmonton, however the Sabres in the end determined in opposition to the thought… at the very least for now.
The truth is Buffalo has questions in all places — on the blue line, in aim, and behind the bench. There’s even quiet chatter about future teaching situations if issues proceed to slip. How will Kekalainen make his mark?
St. Louis Blues: Veteran Names Are Circulating Once more
If the Blues don’t flip issues round quickly, count on veteran commerce chatter to accentuate. Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston have each pointed to the identical group of gamers as ones to observe: Brayden Schenn, Jordan Binnington, and Justin Faulk. Schenn, particularly, is acquainted territory — his identify surfaced closely in commerce talks final season and hasn’t gone away.
The sense across the league is that St. Louis administration is taking a tough take a look at the place this roster is headed. In the event that they resolve a reset is required, transferring older gamers with time period and worth makes probably the most sense. Groups on the lookout for management, playoff expertise, or heart depth will preserve circling.
Subsequent: One thing Isn’t Lining Up Between Matthews and Berube
