It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours this Sunday. The current COVID-19 pandemic has thrown all sports into flux and not just hockey. However, there could be some movement thanks to the plans of other leagues. Today’s NHL rumours discuss the start of the 2020-21 season, the Travis Green extension for the Vancouver Canucks and if Dustin Byfuglien would return for his hometown Minnesota Wild.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
2020-21 Season
Rumour: Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic and TSN said the league is still targeting January 1 as opening day. However, there hasn’t been formal talks.
In lieu of the NBA news, the latest on NHL: Bill Daly says Jan. 1 puck drop “remains our objective.'' But the joint NHL-NHLPA RTP committee has yet to meet (nothing yet scheduled). Though a source says top leaders of NHLPA/NHL have been in daily contact over the 2020-21 season.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 6, 2020
Analysis: The league and the NHLPA are trying to be as prudent as possible in getting the league up and running during a pandemic. There are plenty of issues to sort out like the border, number of games, salaries and so much more.
However, the NBA’s Yuletide start may force the NHL’s hand sooner rather than later. The NBA will get plenty of media attention and the NHL does want some of that as well.
A main issue is the status of travel between the American and Canadian border. The Toronto Blue Jays set up shop in Buffalo for their home games while the MLS clubs of Toronto FC, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps have stayed in the United States at neutral sites. The Toronto Raptors have suitors like Kansas City, Nashville and others looking to host them for part of the season.
The NHL is a lot harder due to the seven Canadian teams in the league. Hence, the talk of an all-Canadian division for the season. Playoffs bubbles worked because most of the regular season was done and all they had to do was the qualifying round and Stanley Cup playoffs proper. However, the teams would like to have some games at home rinks. The players sacrificed time with their families to complete the season and it would be asking too much for that to happen again.
The league’s timeline was sped up due to the NBA, but they’ll think long and hard before the final plans are made. However, no one wants the outbreaks that have affected the NFL and college football.
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: Sportsnet’s panel of Dan Murphy, Iain MacIntyre and Satiar Shah discussed the team giving head coach Travis Green an extension before the season.
Analysis: The panel agreed that Green and the Canucks would love to get a deal done. However, there are a lot of moving parts. The current situation with the coronavirus has brought up concerns with cash flow like many clubs. Vancouver and other teams realize the NHL is more of a gate-driven league that relies more on fans than other sports.
Green is likely on an entry-level coaching salary of in and around $1 million and a raise to the middle of the pack would triple his pay. The Canucks don’t want Green to go into the final year of his contract without in an extension in place. He did some of his best work coaching in the bubble in getting into the Western Conference semifinals.
There are also unknowns on length of his next deal. It was brought up that current general manager Jim Benning got a three-year deal recently. The panel thinks that will be the term of Green’s extension when he does sign.
Minnesota Wild
Rumour: Michael Russo of The Athletic said that Byfuglien signing with the Wild would be a longshot.
🚨MEATY #mnwild notebook🚨
🏒 Agent @BenHankinson discusses Big Buff and Wild interest in ex #nhljets Dman
🏒 Matt Dumba trade talk update
🏒 Could Wild flood ECHL Allen with prospects?
🏒MN-based Wild players skating
🏒Wild world junior hopefuls https://t.co/Wcsbb79L7H— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) November 5, 2020
Analysis: Russo said that Byfuglien’s agent Ben Hankinson discussed many scenarios with Wild general manager Bill Guerin. However, those ideas were rebuffed by Guerin on bringing back the semi-retired bluelier.
Byfuglien would have been a solid short-term option had the team traded Mathew Dumba. That talk has quieted down, but Minnesota is still feeling cap crunch. That cap problem could rise more if top pick Marco Rossi makes the team in camp.
Hankinson was key in getting Nick Bjugstad to the Wild and he’ll likely try to bend his former Golden Gophers teammate’s ear on Byfuglien. The Roseau, Minn. native seems content with hunting, fishing and being a dad.
