We’re closing out the year of 2020, but we still have plenty of NHL rumours as we close in on a new year. There are still plenty of moves to made as we near the start of training camp. Teams are still kicking the tires on free agents and potential deals are to be had. We have NHL rumours on the Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues and the Vegas Golden Knights.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Winnipeg Jets
Rumour: Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press gave an update on the situation on Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic.
Analysis: McIntyre was the one that stated that a trade between Laine and the Jets would be “mutually beneficial” to both sides. Laine’s bridge contract of $6.75 million comes up at the end of the season. The Finn is looking to cash in on his multiple 30-goal seasons. However, the Jets have little cap space and trading Laine could relieve some pressure. It would be a devastating blow to lose a talented scorer like Laine, though.
Roslovic is an unsigned restricted free agent and is also looking for a bump in pay. Both Laine and Roslovic also want to see increased roles on the team and aren’t happy about their current minutes. The Jets can get some space once they place Bryan Little on long-term injured reserve. However, Roslovic could be an interesting piece to dangle in front of a team. He could possibly land a top-four defenceman because of Roslovic’s upside.
St. Louis Blues
Rumour: Matt Larkin of SI.com and The Hockey News said that the Blues could make a move for Mike Hoffman depending on how much they sign Vince Dunn for.
Alexander Steen helped the Blues a lot during his great career – and he's not done helping them. His retirement creates some cap flexibility.
Will St. Louis chase a goal-scoring UFA forward now?https://t.co/rbjHXyBusg
— Matt Larkin (@MLarkinHockey) December 17, 2020
Analysis: The pursuit of Hoffman is contingent on how much money they give Dunn. St. Louis is currently over the cap by over $1.1 million, but will have room once they place Alex Steen‘s deal on LTIR. Dunn will likely want more than the $888,333 AAV that he made last season. Many think Dunn will have an even bigger role now that Alex Pietrangelo went to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Hoffman is still without a team after just missing out on 30 goals last season with the Florida Panthers. He was making just over $5 million last season, but likely understands the market will probably lower that number. It’s puzzling that the winger has not been signed, but a combination of the uncertain start date and a volatile market have left Hoffman without a team. However, that may be resolved soon as the start of camp draws closer.
Vegas Golden Knights
Rumour: Travis Yost of TSN said that the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators could benefit the most from the Knights cap woes. This rumour piggybacks off of Jesse Granger’s report of Vegas trying to move Jonathan Marchessault.
If productive wingers like Max Pacioretty or Jonathan Marchessault are truly available, the Senators and Red Wings have the assets and financial flexibility to take full advantage of the situation, @travisyost writes: https://t.co/08aQlcTV4w#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/Xs6bRLDb1e
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) December 14, 2020
Analysis: Vegas has to do the salary cap dance to fit deals to Pietrangelo and others under the $81.5 million camp. Marchessault only has an eight-team no-trade clause and that gives the Golden Knights some more possible suitors. A total of 16 teams have less than $2 million left in cap space and 10 of those have zero space.
Productive wingers are a commodity in the league, but teams are handcuffed by the current cap situation. Marchessault makes $5 million and is three years younger than Pacioretty, but both could help teams like Detroit and Ottawa that are awash with salary cap space. Ottawa could allow Connor Brown and Nick Paul more time to develop.
Detroit has players like Filip Zadina, Jonatan Berggren and Lucas Raymond waiting in the wings, but it will be another couple of seasons for the latter pair. Adding one of the Vegas wingers would help give some depth to wingers Tyler Bertuzzi and Anthony Mantha.
