Things are picking up here at Last Word on Hockey as we are back with our regular Tuesday schedule for NHL Rumours. The Stanley Cup Playoffs continue to roll on as we inch closer to the Conference Finals. While there continues to be play on the ice, the action off the ice is heating. In this edition of NHL Rumours, we will look at the news surrounding the Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals, and Carolina Hurricanes.
NHL Rumours
Winnipeg Jets
Rumour: During an appearance on TSN 1290 in Winnipeg TSN’s Frank Seravalli mentioned that Winnipeg Jets forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine will both be on his trade bait board and that the team could move them to a fill needs at other positions mainly a number two centre and top-pairing defenceman.
Analysis: Ever since Paul Stastny left the team via free agency, the Jets have been looking for a number two centre. They thought they had it when Kevin Hayes came over in a trade. But he also left via free agency. While the Jets did an admirable job filling the hole this season with other players on the roster, they needed a number-two centre to balance their top two lines out. Not having Bryan Little this season definitely hurt the Jets in terms of line combinations and production. Not to mention the Jets did not have a top-pairing defenceman after Dustin Byfuglien decided to take the year off. But give credit to Paul Maurice for getting this team near the playoffs. However, in terms of getting bang for your buck, Laine and Ehlers bring back the most return.
There are only some players that can bring the Jets that kind of return. In terms of Laine, he has one year left remaining on his deal at $6.75 million before he is an RFA and will need a long-term deal. Laine has been linked to trade rumours in the past, so this is a critical year for him and the team. Ehlers, on the other hand, has four years left remaining at $6 million. That is a good contract with a flat cap of $81.5 million. Ehlers is a versatile player in Paul Maurice’s offence. So the Jets may want to keep him around. But if they choose to move Ehlers, they have other players to fill his role. Laine is a tougher pill to swallow. But sometimes you have to give a little to get a little.
Washington Capitals
Rumour: In his latest edition of 31 Thoughts Elliotte Friedman says that the Washington Capitals have permission to talk Peter Laviolette, and he is very much a contender.
Analysis: Right after the Capitals lost to the New York Islanders, the organization decided to make a change at their head coaching position. They decided to fire Todd Reirden. Reirden took over for Barry Trotz after the team did not sign Trotz to a new deal. However, a first-year coach like Reirden is not what the Capitals needed at the time. They need a seasoned coach like Trotz to guide them especially with a veteran laced group that has a window that is closing. Enter Peter Laviolette. Laviolette was up for the New Jersey Devils coaching job before they settled on Lindy Ruff. Laviolette has taken two teams to the Stanley Cup Final, winning once with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. So he knows how to get the most from his players.
However, it will not be easy to sign Laviolette. He will cost a pretty penny, but the Capitals hopefully learned from their past mistakes and pay a coach what he is worth. That is the one place you can’t be stingy as an organization, especially with a guy like Laviolette, who has the pedigree he does. Players like Alex Ovechkin, Niklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, and Evgeny Kuznetsov will respond better to a veteran coach like Laviolette. Nothing against Reirden, but those players had respect for Trotz and he got them playing a certain to win. Laviolette can do the same thing.
Carolina Hurricanes
Rumour: Staying with 31 thoughts for a moment, Friedman also notes that the Carolina Hurricanes have an interest in Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen.
Analysis: The Hurricanes are in an interesting position especially goaltending-wise. They have Petr Mrazek and James Reimer under contract for one more season. Andersen also has a year remaining left on his deal with the Maple Leafs. And Toronto is not going to make a change just to make a change. However, both teams feel they need to upgrade their position. Andersen has been solid for Toronto but has not a won a playoff series yet. However, in a system like Carolina, Andersen will stay fresher as Rod Brind’Amour likes to utilize a two goalie system. Considering how well Mrazek and Reimer played for the Hurricanes this season, why would they consider making a change?
Both have reasonable contracts for at least one more year. Maybe they are afraid one if not both will want more money. But so will Andersen. And since the Hurricanes need to pay players like Dougie Hamilton, Andrei Svechnikov, and Ryan Dzingel it might be wiser to stay with the duo they have instead of exploring a trade for a player that could also walk during free agency. Not to mention, it is a loaded goalie market come free-agency, so the Hurricanes could find another option there. The fact that the Hurricanes have interest in Andersen means the team feels they need to upgrade the position in order to win a Stanley Cup.
Stay tuned for the Wednesday edition of NHL Rumours.
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