It’s Tuesday and we’re starting the day off right with your latest NHL Rumours! The season is pushing on and if you stick with Last Word On Hockey, you won’t miss a move. Today’s NHL Rumours are focused on the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Buffalo Sabres.
All NHL Rumours come from their original sources and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Calgary Flames
Rumour: Eric Francis of sportsnet.ca speculated that the Flames would start shopping Johnny Gaudreau if the team doesn’t get it together by the end of the season.
The time for action in Calgary is nigh, as this @NHLFlames team is too talented to continue treading water much longer.
And it’s with that in mind that Tuesday’s opponent is rife with such delicious irony. (via @EricFrancis)https://t.co/IckxNNcqyE
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 18, 2019
Analysis: There’s a tense atmosphere in Calgary these days. The team is on a four-game losing streak. Gaudreau hasn’t tallied a goal in as many games. He’s staring down the barrel of his second scoreless streak of the season. The previous streak went on for 12 games.
At the end of this year, Gaudreau will have two seasons left on his six-year deal. If the Flames do not find their way into a playoff spot, then this could be the end of the line for Johnny Hockey. He’s not putting up the numbers the team expects, and very sincerely needs. It is still early in the season, but with Calgary backed into a corner, trading Gaudreau might be the best thing for the team, albeit a tad bit of a dramatic solution.
That being said, the Flames are between the ice and a hard place. Their prospect pool is shallow, and their tradable assets are less than desirable. Shopping Gaudreau with two years left on his contract would be a good shot for the Flames to get a hefty return.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Chris Johnson reported on SN650 that Tyson Barrie is not a good fit for the Leafs organization and that the team will eventually trade him away.
How hot is the seat for Mike Babcock in Toronto?#TheProgram @AndrewWalker650 @SatiarShah talk to @JDBunkis next about Babcock, Barrie and how long the turmoil could continue.https://t.co/mDLZc4njsd pic.twitter.com/hyhz7DnyAz
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) November 19, 2019
Analysis: The Tyson Barrie in Toronto is not the same Tyson Barrie that was in Colorado. 22 games into the season and Barrie is struggling, posting just six points; none of which are goals. He is not playing like the offensive powerhouse that the Leafs thought would easily slot into their talented lineup.
General Manager Kyle Dubas seems to be chalking it up to a rough adjustment period. Anyone who’s been watching Barrie so far would agree that “rough” is an understatement. It’s November and he still has not found his groove with the Leafs. With the way the team is struggling, they would really benefit if Barrie finally started to light it up.
You have to wonder just how long Toronto will hold on to him at this rate. Barrie will hit unrestricted free agency next year. The rumours are flying around with speculation that multiple teams have inquired about the defenceman.
Should the Leafs stick with Barrie and hope he gets his feet under him this season? Or are they better off trying to move him sooner rather than later? Realistically, the worst thing Toronto could do is let Barrie become a UFA and lose him without any type of return.
Buffalo Sabres
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman of sportsnet.ca mentioned that the Sabres may be looking to move a defenceman now that Zach Bogosian is on the mend.
Analysis: Bogosian has had a rough go lately. After two hip surgeries in two years, he finally put his feet on the ice last week. In addition to Bogosian anticipated return to the Sabres bench, Marco Scandella has made his way back into the lineup after an injury. This presents Buffalo with a new problem- a packed roster.
So, who does Buffalo cut loose? Colin Miller, who has been a healthy scratch for the past three games, seems to have some resentment built up toward the team. In turn, the Sabres really don’t seem to know exactly where he fits within the organization. The tense feelings and general lack of space could spell the end of Miller’s time in Buffalo.
Another option the Sabres have as trade bait is the newly healthy Scandella. Although Miller was scratched to make room for Scandella, Scandella could still be a trade option. He is in the last year of a five-year deal. Buffalo could take advantage of his impressive start to the season and trade him before he hits the market as a UFA at the end of the year.
Any way you look at it, having too much defensive depth is not the worst problem a team could have. The Sabres have options and it will be interesting to see which direction they take.
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