We’re rocketing closer to the start of a busy offseason with plenty of NHL rumoours. Negotiations can be messy and some could get really hard to follow. There will be some difficult choices coming. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Colorado Avalanche, Seattle Kraken and Ottawa Senators.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Colorado Avalanche
Rumour: TSN’s Darren Dreger on the latest Insider Trading said Gabriel Landeskog and the club are far apart in negotiations.
INSIDER TRADING: #TSNHockey Insiders discuss…
– #MNWild direction with Suter/Parise buyouts
– #Preds approach to blueline
– Latest on Avs & Landeskog/Johnson
– Update on #Canucks & Pettersson/Hughes
– Who’s interested in DriedgerWATCH 🌍: https://t.co/58tovpfdrO pic.twitter.com/pzIo63Ff4F
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) July 13, 2021
Analysis: It’s a bit of a stunner considering how valuable the captain is to Colorado. However, the Swede is looking for a raise from his nearly $5.6 million salary. He’s scored 20 goals in all but two seasons since arriving in Denver in 2011-12.
Losing Landeskog would be a huge blow for a team looking to keep up with the Vegas Golden Knights. It’s an arms race in the Western Conference and the team is trying to maximize its Stanley Cup window. However, it seems that general manager Joe Sakic won’t be a pushover in negotiations.
The Avalanche captain hitting the open market would be huge. His services would be in demand despite living in the flat cap era. The only silver lining by losing the 28-year-old would be more money for restricted free agent Cale Makar. However, it would create a gaping hole down the middle for Colorado.
Seattle Kraken
Rumour: Pierre LeBrun in the same segment said the expansion Kraken are interested in Florida Panthers goalie Chris Driedger.
Analysis: LeBrun adds that the unrestricted free agent goalie is looking for $3.5 million per season on his next deal. The Winnipeg native had a breakout season in Florida, but he is the odd man out. General manager Bill Zito can’t move Sergei Bobrovsky‘s massive $10 million per year contract and Spencer Knight has emerged as the future number one.
Seattle will have its pick from many goalies, but it’s hard to say who they will select. Many think Montreal Canadiens backup Jake Allen is a foregone conclusion for a pick. However, it’s hard to figure out the other netminders. The Kraken hold plenty of power right now and teams are trying to protect their assets.
Driedger proved that he deserves to fight for a starting spot and get a good payday while he’s at it. His asking price could put other teams in play that want a goalie at an affordable price.
Ottawa Senators
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman appeared on Sportsnet 590 in Toronto to talk about the Pierre McGuire deal.
The Toronto Maple Leafs hired Dean Chynoweth as a new assistant head coach earlier today.@FriedgeHNIC joined @SNJeffBlair & @richarddeitsch on #WritersBloc to discuss the hiring, Duncan Keith being traded to Edmonton and more!
Full Interview 🎧: https://t.co/Czb9PREtZ2 pic.twitter.com/MokVWrWBvq
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) July 12, 2021
Analysis: Friedman said the McGuire deal is for three years and Senators general manager Pierre Dorion has one year left. However, the team is working on an extension for him. Signing an extension would silence the rumours that McGuire was brought in to replace Dorion.
However, the former NBC analyst could be moved into the GM role if Dorion doesn’t sign a new deal. McGuire does have a wealth of knowledge about prospects and the game despite divisive opinions about him on-air. He is very aware of the backgrounds of most players in the league.
McGuire does have experience in being in the Senators organization, but it was a long time ago. He served as a scout in 1995 and was promoted to assistant coach. However, he was fired in 1996 and ended up in broadcasting.
The Englewood, N.J. native was hired as senior vice president of player development by Ottawa. It’s his first job in management in almost 30 years.
