The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, but we still have the business of NHL rumours. Teams have to think about their futures and some big players have deals coming up. Today’s NHL rumours focuses on the Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Boston Bruins
Rumour: Matt Porter of Boston Globe discusses the different ways the Bruins could get Jack Eichel to come home.
Sunday Hockey Notes from @mattyports: Many paths could lead Jack Eichel to Boston https://t.co/KcvyMDBPgV
— Boston Globe Sports (@BGlobeSports) May 15, 2021
Analysis: Boston does have $11 million worth of salary coming off the books at the end of the season. Players like David Krejci. Jaroslav Halak and Sean Kuraly have their contracts expire at the end of the season. This would save the Bruins over $10, which would fit Eichel’s salary under the cap. They also have the rest of the David Backes buyout of $1.5 million wrapping up. However, there still needs to be extensions for Taylor Hall and Mike Reilly to be done this off-season.
Buffalo general manager does have time to send the North Chelmsford, Mass. native back home. However, his no-movement clause kicks in at the end of next season. Adams doesn’t want a repeat of the Hall situation where Bruins GM Don Sweeney held his colleague over a barrel for the former Hart Trophy winner.
Porter speculates that Adams would be well within his rights to ask for a star like David Pastrnak or Charlie McAvoy. Sweeney hopes that Adams can be persuaded not to ask for goalie of the future Jeremy Swayman. Buffalo has struggled in net and Swayman has shown plenty of promise in his first few starts in Boston.
Eichel desperately wants playoff hockey and the former Boston University star could go home to get that.
Calgary Flames
Rumour: The Athletic’s Hailey Salvian looked at the Flames off-season to-do list and what Johnny Gaudreau‘s future may be.
The #Flames season isn’t done yet, with three games remaining against the Canucks. But, it’s safe to start turning the page and looking to the future.
Let’s begin by laying out the top priorities on the organization’s to-do list this summer.https://t.co/4tTaHX8GXQ
— Hailey Salvian (@hailey_salvian) May 14, 2021
Analysis: There were rumours that Calgary would trade the former Boston College star to start a rebuild. However, he’s the team’s game-breaking forward and can score goals in bunches.
Head coach Darryl Sutter put Gaudreau with Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk in recent weeks and it’s worked. Gaudreau has 17 points in 13 games and the unit looks like a top line. The American has 19 goals as of publication, but he’d be on pace for 29 in a traditional 82-game season.
There’s always fear he will walk for nothing in return. However, Gaudreau has stated he wants to stay in Calgary. He may have struggled in the last couple post-season appearances, but he’s not been completely the problem. Calgary also may have missed the chance for a big trade haul after keeping him after his 99-point season.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston said the Jackets have approached Seth Jones about an extension.
The @BlueJacketsNHL have asked Seth Jones to consider extending his contract beyond the 2021-22 season.https://t.co/gR4y9SPQD9
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 16, 2021
Analysis: The summer will be one of upheaval after John Tortorella said he won’t return behind the bench. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen would love to take the potential headache Jones hitting the open market after 2021-22 off the table.
Jones said that he’d take the next few days and think about a new deal. He’s been a top pair defenceman this season with Michael Del Zotto and logged 28 points. The son of former NBAer Popeye Jones recorded 23 assists for the club.
The Arlington, Texas native would draw some interest if he did hit the open market, but the Jackets will do what they can to avoid that. Columbus is going to have to rebuild and a player like Jones will be needed. He could be the next captain to replace the recently traded Nick Foligno. Jones has been one of the assistant captains since the 2018-19 season.
