The 2020-21 season is in full swing and the mill is full of NHL rumours. Today we look at several possible trade deadline deals. The Edmonton Oilers could be losing a vital forward. A defenceman could be on his way out of the Nashville Predators organization. Finally, could Marc-Andre Fleury end up back with the Pittsburgh Penguins? All positions on the ice will be discussed in this edition of NHL Rumours.
NHL Rumours
Edmonton Oilers
Rumour: TSN’s Ryan Rishaug is reporting that the Edmonton Oilers and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have broken off contract negotiations.
Trade deadline a few months away, am told at this point there has been no resumption in talks between the Oilers and RNH camp. Talks broke off abruptly before the season and its been radio silence since then. RNH has made it clear he wants to remain an Oiler long term…./
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) February 17, 2021
This puts the Oilers in a precarious situation. This team currently sits at fourth place in the Scotiabank North Division. That is good enough for the playoffs this year. While the Oilers are not really considered to be frontrunners to win it all this year, we know anything can happen if you just get in (see St. Louis Blues 2018-19 season). If they trade Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at the deadline, that certainly does not put this team any closer to winning the Stanley Cup.
Nugent-Hopkins is currently in the final year of a $6 million deal. He has also benefitted from playing alongside Connor McDavid. RNH went from being 50 points per season player to nearly a point per game. The price tag on a new deal will surely come at a higher rate if Edmonton wants to keep him around. It will not be easy for this team with much of their forward group due for extensions. They have a tough choice to make. Either trade Nugent-Hopkins at the deadline and watch their playoff hopes fade away, or watch him walk out the door for nothing.
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Nashville Predators
Rumour: Chris Johnston of Sportsnet is reporting that the Nashville Predators could look to trade Mattias Ekholm at some point this season.
It has been widely speculated that the Nashville Predators will be major sellers at the trade deadline this season. Mattias Ekholm could be one of the pieces on the move. With a year past this season left on his contract, Ekholm is more than just a rental for a team making a run at the cup. He also comes at a fairly reasonable price of $3.75 million per year.
Nashville has to heavily consider making every move they can to sell at the deadline. This team has not performed well and is a shell of the squad that lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final. This team needs to spark a rebuild. They still have Roman Josi to anchor the defence for years to come. Ekholm is not a necessity for this team. They also have the talented youngster Dante Fabbro. The Predators would surely like to get him more ice time and with Ekholm gone, that leaves more time up for grabs.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rumour: In a weekly mailbag via NHL.com, Dan Rosen wrote about how the Penguins are in desperate need of a number one goalie and the possibility of Marc-Andre Fleury returning to his former club.
Tristan Jarry is not living up to expectations at least not to start the season. And right now the Penguins need to find a number one goalie that can challenge Jarry to be better. Casey DeSmith is not that guy and because of that Pittsburgh is in the position of fighting for a playoff spot in the East Division. New general manager Ron Hextall and President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke have their work cut out for them. For this team to compete they need to bring in someone that can steady the ship. The Penguins had that in Marc-Andre Fleury. But because of salary cap issues, they had to trade him to the Vegas Golden Knights.
There has been a lot of talk of Fleury wanting to return to Pittsburgh to finish out his career with the core of that team. And it makes sense if the dollars can be worked out. The only problem is the Golden Knights need him as Robin Lehner is dealing with a back injury. As Rosen points out, if Lehner regains the number one position from Fleury, then there is a chance for him to return to Pittsburgh. The Golden Knights hold all the cards in this one because their goalie depth is a key to their success. However, trading Fleury back to Pittsburgh could help them address other needs. Just don’t be shocked to see Fleury back in Pittsburgh
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That does it for this edition of NHL Rumours, be sure to check back tomorrow for more.
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