The season is in full swing, and that means the NHL Rumours are plentiful. Last Word On Hockey will continue to keep you up to date on the latest NHL Rumours from around the league. Today’s focus will be on the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers.
All NHL Rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Chris Johnston and Elliotte Friedman spoke on Hockey Night In Canada about possible moves the Leafs could make to open space once Travis Dermott and Zach Hyman return from injury. They’re set to return from the injured reserve next Saturday.
Analysis: The Leafs roster is packed right now. Hyman and Dermott are poised to return in a week. The team has to make room for them, so it looks like someone’s going to be cleaning out a locker soon.
One name that’s in the mix is Nic Petan. Friedman reported that the team is openly shopping him as the team tries to make room for Hyman. When Hyman returns, he’s bumping down Ilya Mikheyev and Trevor Moore.
Dmytro Timashov has been a solid fourth-line winger, but at this rate, he and Nick Shore could be watching from the press box. That leaves exactly zero room for Petan.
Dermott has one year left on his entry-level contract. The deal carries a hit of $863,333. Despite averaging lower ice-time than anticipated, he’s proven himself as a quality defenceman.
Dermott is a promising, offensively-minded player. After 64 games last season, he tallied 17 points. There’s no way the Leafs won’t make room for him.
Montreal Canadiens
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period joined TSN590 and stated that multiple teams have inquired about Paul Byron. He feels confident that the team will make a move in the next few weeks.
Analysis: The Canadiens roster is pretty full. They’re still looking to bolster their blueline. Byron is injury prone and has yet to register a goal this season. Last season was a bust for him. After sustaining a concussion and other minor injuries, he only dressed for 56 games.
With Ryan Poehling starting to get his game together in Laval after sustaining a concussion in the pre-season, he most certainly could warrant a call up to the NHL. The Habs have plenty of depth on the wing. Byron and his team-friendly contract are expendable. With their need for defence, moving him wouldn’t be hard and would bring in a hefty return.
Byron brings a lot to the table. If he dodges the injury plaque, he’s capable of posting 20 goals in a season. He’s a valuable asset on the penalty kill. His speed is a massive appeal to teams. He’s a variable swiss army knife for the team. He could very well be the sacrificial goat of the team.
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: Jonathan Willis of the Athletic posed the question of whether or not the Oilers could afford Taylor Hall. There have been stories surrounding his possible return to the Oilers since the very beginning.
Analysis: The New Jersey Devils and Hall seem to be at a stalemate. The Devils are struggling, to put it lightly. If the team doesn’t spend the majority of their seasons in the win column, Hall sticking around isn’t likely.
It’s safe to assume New Jersey is talking to teams. If they’re not, they should be. Hall will be a free agent next season. Would he be willing to go to a team as a rental piece? It’s possible. However, the chances of the team re-signing him would be slim, depending on their cup run. Hall wants to win now. He will certainly take the time to make the proper decision in the off-season.
He could stick it out with the Devils this season, head into free agency and have the market at his fingertips. Will Edmonton have that open space next year? They would need to shift their roster around. The cap ceiling will go up, at least a bit, next year.
Hall joining the Oilers is not not entirely out of the realm of possibility. The high profile winger will likely command between $10 and $11 million in free agency. That’s a hefty price tag for the Oilers to take on. If the organization is committed, they could make some chess moves and fit him into the lineup.
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