With the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs coming to a close, the picture for next season is becoming clearer. Players on eliminated teams are starting to ponder their next move. General managers are gearing up for what should be a tumultuous offseason. In today’s edition of NHL rumours, we look at the Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, and Colorado Avalanche.
NHL Rumours
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: The Athletic’s James Mirtle is reporting that the Vancouver Canucks have offered goaltender Jacob Markstrom a short term deal worth roughly $4 million per season.
Vancouver is one of several teams around the NHL that has to seriously ponder their goaltending situation. With the Seattle Kraken’s expansion draft coming after next season, teams will need to prepare for losses. With the capability to protect only one goaltender, Vancouver has a big decision to make. Markstrom has been very impressive for the Canucks this season and is worth an extension. They also have a potential young stud coming up in Thatcher Demko. Demko will be eligible for selection by Seattle if he goes unprotected.
An ideal scenario would be to sign Markstrom to a one year deal and then allow him to go into free agency next offseason. This gives Vancouver a solid netminder to start between the pipes next year. They can keep Demko as a backup but with a more even split of games. Markstrom can then head for a payday on the open market in the following offseason. Demko would then be the clear cut starter that they will protect in the expansion draft. If playoffs appear to be out of the question as the season progresses, they could also flip Markstrom to a contending team in need of goaltending.
Montreal Canadiens
Rumour: TSN insider Darren Dreger is reporting that upcoming free agent Taylor Hall is highly interested in joining the Montreal Canadiens next season.
Taylor Hall could be a perfect fit at the perfect time for the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal is in desperate need of help in their forward group. They have some potential stars at centre in Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nick Suzuki. Max Domi and Phillip Danault are also in the lineup. The wings are relatively weak, though, outside of Tomas Tatar and Jonathan Drouin. Taylor Hall is an instant top-line wing for them and a major upgrade.
Not only does Montreal likely want Hall, but he also wants to go there. Hall has had a hard time making the playoffs throughout his career. He spent six years with the Edmonton Oilers, four with the New Jersey Devils, and is about to leave the Arizona Coyotes after one season. In his 10 year career, he has only seen playoff action twice. If Hall joins Montreal, they could become legitimate contenders within just a season or two. This could also be a path to the Stanley Cup for Carey Price.
Colorado Avalanche
Rumour: Avalanche insider Adrian Dater has reported that Colorado could go after Matt Murray for their new starting goaltender.
The one goalie I keep hearing as the next Avs No. 1, regardless of the situations of any of the current guys: Matt Murray
— Adrian Dater (@adater) September 3, 2020
Similarly to the Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh has two highly talented goaltenders. They will need to decide between Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry. With the season Jarry had, some people think the Penguins could elect to move on from Murray. Colorado becomes an instant suitor for his services. Although they already have Philipp Grubauer and Pavel Francouz, they could upgrade with Murray. We have seen what having a top-notch goaltending tandem can do. Colorado must be interested.
If Colorado manages to bring Murray into the fold, he is the clear cut starter. Grubauer likely becomes the backup. This leaves Francouz as the third goaltender. Considering he just signed a $2 million extension, he will not be happy being relegated to a role where he barely sees NHL ice time. With his play this season, he could potentially wind up back in Pittsburgh as the new backup along with other assets.
That does it for this edition of NHL Rumours. Be sure to check back over the next few days for more!
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